Slide 1

Upernavik

North Greenland

#upernavik #northgreenland #visitgreenland #greenlandpioneer

Upernavik is set amidst a labyrinth of small islands that is home to traditional settlements, enormous icebergs, millions of birds, and the elusive narwhal.

Facts about Upernavik

Name (Greenlandic):

Upernavik

Name (danish):

Region in Greenland:

North Greenland

Coordinates:

72°47′13″N 56°08′50″W

Postcode:

3962

Airport code:

JUV

Population:

1125 (2022)

Municipality:

Avannaata Kommunia

Nearby towns and settlements:

Aappilattorq Innaarsuit Kangersuatsiaq (Prøven)Kullorsuaq Naajat Nuussuaq Nutaarmiut Tasiusaq Upernavik Kujalleq

View map

Upernavik has 9 surrounding settlements – more than any other town in Greenland. More people live in these settlements than in Upernavik itself.

When lit up at night, Upernavik forms the shape of a Christmas tree. A photograph of this won the National Geographic Travel Photo contest in 2019.

The main industry in Upernavik is seafood via the fishing industry.

Navarana’s story: Navarana died of the Spanish flu in 1920 but was denied burial in the old church graveyard because she was not baptized. The pastor refused to ring the bells for her and refused to talk about her, attempting to make an example to others of what would happen to heathens. However, the colony manager defied the pastor, allowing Freuchen to bury her himself in the cemetery.

Upernavik means “the springtime place” in the Greenlandic language.

Useful information

UPERNAVIK WEATHER

Tips

Upernavik has a Pilersuisoq supermarket that stocks a little of everything including limited, basic camping supplies. However, it is best to bring your own outdoor equipment with you. There is also a smaller Købmand LT-kiosk.
You can purchase souvenirs directly from the artisans at the Handicraft Workshop, or explore what is on offer at Grocer Qullilerisoq

Closest ports of entry:

Upernavik airport (JUV), Upernavik harbour

Tourist information:

There is no tourist office in town, but you could try asking at Upernavik museum.

Useful phone numbers:

Police

(+299) 96 12 22 / 70 14 27 / 70 14 48

Hospital

(+299) 96 12 11

Taxi

(+299) 53 33 35

Why Upernavik

Even the world’s very best sculptors could not imagine the intricacies or magnitude of the gargantuan icebergs that surround Upernavik, Greenland. Often mistaken from a distance as one of the thousands of islands making up the broken coastline of this part of Baffin Bay, they beckon travellers with an adventurous spirit to explore the natural wonders and remote settlements that lie hidden within this maze-like landscape.

Traditions remain strong despite the arrival of modern comforts, allowing visitors to experience what life used to be like for the Inuit of Greenland.

How to get to Upernavik

Upernavik is located in north-west Greenland on a small island of the same name. International visitors flying to Upernavik must transit through Ilulissat, though there are also direct domestic flights from Qaanaaq and several small settlements.

Unfortunately, there are no passenger ferries that go as far north as Upernavik. There are, however, several cruise ships that call into port there during the summer.

The best times to visit Upernavik are: December-January (Polar Darkness), May – July (Midnight Sun), February – April (dog sledding, snowmobiling, northern lights), July – August (hiking, kayaking, sailing).

Air Greenland

How to get around in Upernavik

By North Greenland town standards, Upernavik is considered large although most people simply get around on foot. However, if you want a break, there are also taxis available.

For excursions in the area, the most common way to get around is by boat during the summer, or with dog sled or snowmobile during the winter.

Where to sleep in Upernavik

Upernavik does not have a hotel, but rather several guesthouses with shared facilities and a dormitory-style hostel. All rooms are basic but clean and most come with spectacular views.

All Accommodations
Bed & Breakfast
Hostel

All Accommodations

Beautiful sunset and view over Upernavik. Photo by John Kislov

Gina's Guesthouse

Upernavik, B902, Box 41 3962, Phone: +299 23 58 22More information

Bed & Breakfast

Café de Upernavik

Upernavik, Niuertup Ottup Aqq. B-10,3962, More information

Hostel

Gina's Guesthouse

Upernavik, B902, Box 41 3962, Phone: +299 23 58 22More information

Things to do in Upernavik

The Upernavik fjord and archipelago consists of thousands of islands that stretch for as far as the eye can see. This is a paradise for adventurers who want to experience Greenland as the Inuit did – paddling a kayak or dog sledding through a maze of icebergs and rocky lowlands.

Journey to the south to see the world’s largest bird cliffs at Apparsuit, or head in the opposite direction to explore the magnificent Upernavik Icefjord. Depending on the season, both are reachable by boat tour, multi-day kayak expedition, dog sledding, or a snowmobile excursion.

Traveling from South to North (or visa versa) also provides a wonderful opportunity to go settlement hopping. Take advantage of the endless daylight under the midnight sun or the glow of the Northern Lights in the eternal polar darkness to explore each picturesque community and see if you can pick out their distinct dialects.

Kullorsuaq. Photo - Glenn Mattsing, Visit Greenland

Kullorsuaq – one of the settlements that can be reached via Upernavik. Photo by Glenn Mattsing

Hunting is an important part of everyday life in the Upernavik area, with narwhals, beluga whales, seals, and polar bears all stalked by the local hunters. Although it may be possible to accompany a hunt, Melville Bay is a designated nature reserve and it is only local residents who have permission to take a highly regulated number of animals each year.

Fishing is also an important activity for Upernavik. Cod, redfish, and halibut are common catches either from a boat (summer) or through a hole in the ice (winter). Alternatively, head up to Eqalugaarsuit where the arctic char are plentiful during the allowed July/August fishing season. Make sure you obtain a fishing license first.

A tenderboat from MS Fram going past a fisherman at work in Upernavik in Greenland. By Mads Pihl

A tour boat and fisherman at work in Upernavik. Photo by Mads Pihl

For those interested in history, visit Kingittorsuaq Island near Upernavik where a Norse runestone (now in the National Museum in Denmark) was discovered in the centre of an equilateral triangle formed by three rock cairns in 1824. Dating from around the 13th century and inscribed with the names of three Vikings, this is the farthest north that any Norse artifact has ever been found.

Though Upernavik is located on an island, it (and all the other islands scattered throughout the archipelago) are great places to explore by hiking. Simply find a direction that looks interesting, tell others where you are going, and choose your own adventure. A popular short walk in Upernavik leads Navarana’s grave – the resting place of the wife and fellow expeditioner of the Danish Arctic explorer, Peter Freuchen.

Top things to do in Upernavik

Boat Tours

Set out on a boat trip in Greenland to open up a world of fjords, whales, and nearby villages..

Inuit Culture

The Greenlandic roots are an exciting mix of various immigrating peoples and their ability to adapt to the Arctic challenges on the world’s largest island.

Icebergs

Icebergs are fundamental to Greenland. Experience colossal icebergs grounded in the Ilulissat Icefjord or find them along Greenland’s coastline like floating sculptures.

Explore more things to do in Upernavik

Self-guided activities in Upernavik

Upernavik boasts the world’s northernmost open-air museum. Encompassing all the original colonial buildings in the old part of town, it tells the cultural history of the area, including the colonial and Viking periods. It also features an old kayak and umiaq boat – the primary methods of transportation that were used in Upernavik during the Summer to navigate the archipelago.

Operators in Upernavik

Café de Upernavik

Upernavik, Niuertup Ottup Aqq. B-10,3962, More information

Gina's Guesthouse

Upernavik, B902, Box 41 3962, Phone: +299 23 58 22More information

Eating & Drinking in Upernavik

For the most part, you will need to cook for yourself in Upernavik. However, the town does have one cafe if you would like a meal out.

Cafés in Upernavik

Café de Upernavik

Slide 1

Upernavik

Why Upernavik

How to get there

How to get around

Where to sleep

Things to do

Eating & Drinking

Facts about Upernavik

Nearby towns and settlements:

Tips

Closest ports of entry:

Tourist information:

Useful phone numbers:

Why Upernavik

How to get to Upernavik

How to get around in Upernavik

Where to sleep in Upernavik

Gina's Guesthouse

Café de Upernavik

Gina's Guesthouse

Things to do in Upernavik

Top things to do in Upernavik

Boat Tours

Inuit Culture

Icebergs

Self-guided activities in Upernavik

Operators in Upernavik

Café de Upernavik

Gina's Guesthouse

Eating & Drinking in Upernavik

Cafés in Upernavik

Related Articles

About Visit Greenland

Frequently Visited Pages

Other Websites By Visit Greenland:

Newsletter

GREENLAND – contact us:

DENMARK – Contact us: